Pantoums follow a specific pattern of repetitions and therefore come back to their beginning so they suit contemplative verse. This is one I composed recently.
If ever
There was a star
perhaps a comet
but that was a long time ago
in a land without winter snow.
Perhaps a comet
sang hallelujah and shone out hope for all
in a land without winter snow;
without even a shopping mall
sang hallelujah and shone out hope for all.
They sold the poor the tale of an oxen stall
without even a shopping mall
throughout history to keep us humble.
They sold the poor the tale of an oxen stall.
We bought it shit and all and they got rich
throughout history to keep us humble.
It’s time for a switch now if ever.
We bought it shit and all and they got rich.
He said, Give to the poor. He’d say
It’s time for a switch now if ever
there was a star.
© Oonah V Joslin 2011